BeccaOH: Update of just STUFF

[keljonma]

Is there any way you can consolidate some of the flock just for winter, Becca? If you're working 8 to 10 hours a day, that could be a long time for the birds to be without fresh water on bitterly cold days. Also consolidating some of the flock would also help them keep warmer.

 

[BeccaOH]

Is there any way you can consolidate some of the flock just for winter, Becca? If you're working 8 to 10 hours a day, that could be a long time for the birds to be without fresh water on bitterly cold days. Also consolidating some of the flock would also help them keep warmer.

I'm definitely considering it. I just don't know how many birds would be too many to squeeze into each area before pecking and such would become an issue.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Becca, your big coop, the first one that was built, is large enough to house a good bit of your flock. It has plenty of space. Course, I'm not totally sure how many you have in there right now?

 

[keljonma]

Could you put all the portable pens into the detached garage?

Or tarp the portables together?

Move a portable into a fixed coop but keep the birds in the portable pen in their separate pen?

 

[BeccaOH]

Becca, your big coop, the first one that was built, is large enough to house a good bit of your flock. It has plenty of space. Course, I'm not totally sure how many you have in there right now?

My main coop is around 9x10 after you take out walkway space. I have considered 22-25 birds in there. Right now there are 22, and they are squabbling over roost space. I have a hen roosting on the window ledge (which will disappear when I put the window in for winter). I'd need to add another plank of roosting area and another couple nest boxes.

My back coop has two rooms that are 5x9. I might get 10 in each. Right now 10 hens and one turkey are sharing the roost in there just fine, but the floor space is very tight and I opened the door to let them roam the middle area of the building during these rains. That coop still has no nest boxes.

A thought! If I take off the doors to the separate rooms in the back coop, I could have 2 rooms of 5x8 plus the middle area that is about 6x8 with dividing wall and upper shelf, I could set up one heated watering station and let the birds share the full area and 2 runs. Now to figure out how to run power out there over the waterfowl yard.

I think I can combine flocks with these young roos, but Romeo would probably kill a new young roo just introduced to the flock. I haven't seen him flog one of his 2 sons yet, but those boys aren't allowed much food access. Those boys and 4 hens (and perhaps Romeo) are on my freezer list anyway.

Could you put all the portable pens into the detached garage?
Or tarp the portables together?
Move a portable into a fixed coop but keep the birds in the portable pen in their separate pen?

Tarping two big hoop houses together for shared body heat is a good idea (not really movable, though). I'm considering putting my turkeys in hoop houses, but I worry about old big tom with my young tom and babies.

I park in the outer garage during winter so I don't have to clean my car off every morning. #pout# But I could give up my car space to my chickens. LOL

I have seriously considered using my flatbed trailer as a coop inside the garage this winter. Last winter I stored some pallets on it, but usually the trailer just sits inside all winter. I'd cover the floor with tarp and use a hoop system to cover the top. Could tarp it to hold heat in a round the birds. Rigging a "door" for my access might be tricky, but not impossible. No outside time for those birds, but might be a good place for the Polish, Salmon Favorelle, and Amerucana that are still in brooders now.

Water still freezes in the garage, but power is much more accessible. Garage has an old heater, but we can't make it work.

 

[BeccaOH]

Hey! It is almost 1pm and I was going to use my lunchtime to run to Lowes -- not chat on SS.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Hey! It is almost 1pm and I was going to use my lunchtime to run to Lowes -- not chat on SS.

Ooops.

 

[keljonma]

Hey! It is almost 1pm and I was going to use my lunchtime to run to Lowes -- not chat on SS.

No one at Lowe's will understand you like we do....

 

[BeccaOH]

TGIF -- Even thought about taking the afternoon off work, but all the rain is nasty.

Had a splash Amerucana chick die. Appears that the others crushed it down between a plastic box I had holding the feeder up out of the shavings and the wall of the brooder. Poor thing. I think it was a pullet.

Having trouble with my trailer. Can't get the lights to work. Something is wrong in the wiring. I hope I can get it fixed ASAP. Brother ran my large lawn mower into a ground hog hole and front axle(?) needs fixed too.

On the good side, I seem to find every week ways that poultry brings people together.

Mom had 2 servicemen through the house yesterday. One lives near us and has been involved in the county fair. He said I should be entering some of my poultry next year as the fair has been looking for unique entries. He was particularly interested in my Polish chicks. My mailman has become a friend through egg deliveries. He wants to know what I do with all those eggs and where I put the chicks. Haven't taken him into the garage yet. A neighbor we haven't talked to in a long time stopped by to ask about land and property lines. He left as a new egg customer.

Mom's renter is out. He actually cleaned the place fairly well. Retailer who manages the place already put up a "for rent" sign, and I know there have already been 2 interested renters. I don't know how long we can hold it for you, Kel.

We have lots of projects, though, to fix things that are run down with age. First thing is to fix the roof on the carport and adjoining storage room.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

TGIF -- Even thought about taking the afternoon off work, but all the rain is nasty.

An afternoon off would do you good. Even if it is raining.

I don't know how long we can hold it for you, Kel.

Well, I'm praying TONS, no offense against the two interested possible renters, but keljonma and her husband would be the best neighbors EVER!!!!!!!!

Congrats on the new egg customers!

I agree, you should put some of your poultry in shows next year. Or even at the Nationals You can enter in the Open Class. Second to oldest DS plans to show in the Open Class next year as he's not old enough to show through 4-H yet.